Diamond & Gold Rush
Mining and its impact on South Africa
Mining Changes South Africa
Diamonds were discovered in Kimberley (1867) and gold on the Witwatersrand (1886). Thousands rushed to the mines hoping to get rich. Mining created Johannesburg, brought railways and changed SA's economy — but also brought conflict and exploitation.
Example
Impact of Mining
Positive: Jobs, railways, cities grew, SA became wealthy
Negative: Migrant labour system, dangerous conditions, low pay for Black workers, pass laws
Kimberley Big Hole: largest hand-dug hole in the world
Note
Remember
The mining industry built SA's wealth but at enormous human cost. Workers faced dangerous conditions and discrimination. This system became the foundation of apartheid.
Key Vocabulary
MiningDigging valuable materials from the ground
Migrant labourWorkers who travel far from home for work
CompoundHousing where mine workers were forced to live
ExploitationTreating people unfairly for profit
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Mining
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